What happened: a 10-day rights-protection demand before mining steps
The Jaintia National Council, an indigenous tribal body in Meghalaya, asked the Meghalaya State government to protect landowners’ and farmers’ rights for 10 days before proceeding with an integrated cement and limestone mining project in East Jaintia Hills. The council’s demand focuses on ensuring that farmers’ and landowners’ rights are not advanced past the point where land records and compensation concerns are addressed.
The demand targets a proposed project in Lum Syrman, East Jaintia Hills, with a proposed project area of 217.394 hectares. The Jaintia National Council requested intervention by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma to ensure verification of land records and fair compensation for farmers and their livelihoods before any further project steps.
The mining project is described as a ₹1,800-crore initiative by Shree Cement. Opposition to the project has been active since May, and authorities were being pushed to hold public hearings.
Background and earlier position: opposition and pressure for public hearings since May
Opposition to Shree Cement’s integrated cement and limestone mining project in East Jaintia Hills has been active since May. During this period, the dispute centred on public hearings, with pressure on authorities to conduct them as part of the decision-making process.
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